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Translating the Cochrane EMBASE RCT filter from the Ovid interface to Embase.com: a case study
Author(s) -
Glanville Julie,
Foxlee Ruth,
Wisniewski Susi,
NoelStorr Anna,
Edwards Mary,
Dooley Gordon
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
health information and libraries journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1471-1842
pISSN - 1471-1834
DOI - 10.1111/hir.12269
Subject(s) - interface (matter) , filter (signal processing) , computer science , information retrieval , randomized controlled trial , medline , user interface , medicine , surgery , bubble , maximum bubble pressure method , parallel computing , political science , law , computer vision , operating system
Abstract Background Information specialists frequently translate search filters from one interface to another. Publications advise that translation can be complex and should be undertaken carefully. Objectives To investigate the issues arising when translating the Cochrane Embase RCT search filter from one interface (Ovid) to another ( Embase.com ). Methods We drafted a translation of the Cochrane Ovid RCT filter to run in Embase.com . We compared the line‐by‐line results of the Ovid filter with the results of the translation. We revised the filter. We identified differences between database versions including records with different publication years and subject headings. Some records were in Embase in one interface but not in the other. We encountered expected interface differences relating to proximity operators. We also encountered unexpected interface issues around truncation and the use of the original title or original abstract field. Discussion Filter conversion is challenging and time consuming revealing unexpected differences in interfaces and databases. Careful planning can pre‐empt some issues, but others may only emerge during testing. We identified interface anomalies that have led database publishers to review aspects of the way their interfaces work. Conclusions Translators should be vigilant for known and unknown differences in both interfaces and database versions.